Written by Amelia Barnes
The Victorian Netball League’s (VNL) 2023 Pride Round, supported by RACV, is happening this week to promote inclusion in the netball community.
All Round 9 matches across the three VNL divisions (Championship, Division 1, and 19 & Under) will be played on Wednesday 17 May at Parkville’s State Netball Centre.
Among VNL players looking forward to the annual round is Hawks Netball athlete and former Melbourne Vixen, Kaylia Stanton.
“I’m so excited to be part of the upcoming VNL Pride round,” said Stanton. “I think it is a really important round for so many reasons and I am really proud to be supporting the event as an ally.”
Stanton is one of 16 AIS Thrive with Pride 2023 ambassadors committed to making sport an inclusive place for all.
“I hope I can use this platform as an ambassador to bring more visibility and awareness for inclusion in sport,” said Stanton. “Providing support and allyship to those who identify as part of the LGBT+ community is very important, and I think allows others to feel included and comfortable in a space where they might not have otherwise.”
The 2023 VNL Pride Round follows the recent inaugural Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) Inclusion Round and the success of previous VNL Pride matches. What started as a one-club initiative by Melbourne University Lightning became a league-wide VNL event in 2021 with the support of RACV.
Stanton recalls playing in her first VNL Pride Round in 2022. “The atmosphere was really positive and upbeat. Visually, when you see the rainbow arch as you walk in, it’s super cool and a great visual representation. There was also a great display of pride out on court, with many girls wearing rainbow-coloured bibs, hair ties, and shoelaces.”
Stanton says these visible initiatives promote netball as a safe environment where everyone can participate, be encouraged, and succeed. “If you can't see it, you can't be it,” she said. “It isn't just for those on the court, it is also for spectators and supporters of the game.”
To further promote inclusion, education, and awareness, Stanton hopes to see more Pride Rounds and initiatives implemented across all levels of the netball community.
“I believe netball is doing a great job supporting the LGBT+ community, but we still have a long way to go.
“There is always more to be done. Whether this is providing a pathway for those who identify as LGBT+, more competitions or events, or even something as simple as education. The landscape and identity of who a netballer is, is always evolving, and we need to move with it.
“It shouldn't be something one person has to tackle on their own. As a sport we have a responsibility to help bring people together, whether that's on the court or off it. Continuing to develop that relationship with those in the LGBT+ community and ensuring it is inclusive, is vital.”
The 2023 VNL playing rosters are stacked with netball talent including current Melbourne Vixens squad members Ruby Barkmeyer (Boroondara Express), Gabby Coffey (Melbourne University Lightning), Maggie Caris (Melbourne University Lightning), Emily Andrew (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), and Sharni Lambden (Casey Demons), as well as Collingwood Magpies training partners Casey Adamson (Boroondara Express), Zoe Davies (City West Falcons), Montana Holmes (City West Falcons) and Olivia Wilkinson (Peninsula Waves).
In addition to Stanton, former SSN players in the 2023 VNL squads include Tayla Honey (Casey Demons), Emma Ryde (Casey Demons), Maggie Lind (City West Falcons), and Shae Bolton Brown (Melbourne University Lightning).
Watch all the VNL Pride Round games in person for free at Parkville on Wednesday 17 May from 7pm
The Championship, Division 1 and 19 & Under games between Peninsula Waves and Wilson Storage Southern Saints will be livestreamed on KommunityTV
Three additional games (one from each division) will be available to livestream free on the Netball Victoria Facebook page
